SEFTON’S party leaders have sounded an upbeat tone on setting next year’s council budget – including a possible repeat of last March’s cross-party agreement on finances.

The heads of the borough’s three council groups spoke as budget negotiations begin in earnest, following announcement of a 3.6 per cent rise in the government’s grant to Sefton.

That settlement was greeted as positive by all three leaders, as they prepared for initial budget discussions at the final council cabinet meeting of 2007.

But that cabinet meeting also saw the parties divide over cuts to Sefton’s senior management structure – with a decision voted through on Liberal Democrat votes alone now set to be ‘called-in’ for backbench scrutiny.

Cllr Tony Robertson, Lib Dem leader of the council, said he had only anticipated a 2 per cent increase in the government grant which makes up the majority of local councils’ income.

But he sounded a note of caution about inflationary pressures – such as the potential for social care providers to hike up their fees.

“My advice is to not get carried away,” said Cllr Robertson – adding that a planned £5million of efficiencies are “not the end of the road”.

Asked about the prospect of all three parties agreeing again on a joint budget – which happened this February for the first time in Sefton’s 34-year history – Cllr Robertson replied: “I would like to think so.

“Whether or not that will happen I couldn’t possibly say.

“On a balanced council at least two parties have to agree for it (the budget) to happen.”

All three party leaders have expressed an aim to keep the rise in the portion of council tax paid to Sefton Council at under 3 per cent.